Clenching her jaw, Bri stared at the cracked doorway. She had planned to stand watch outside the door and have a night of stilted conversation with the other guard, peppering him with questions about what he knew of the witch hunters. Throwing aside her investigative plans, Bri nodded and entered.

The anteroom was a circular space with smooth tiled walls and curved bench seats hugging the sides. Sheer curtains framed the benches, creating private alcoves. Vibrantly colored beaded cushions dotted the seats and the nighttime breeze whispered through geometric cutouts in the walls, but it was the centerpiece that snagged her attention—a glorious living tree. It was a miniature version of the trees stretching out across the savanna and similar to the ones breaking through the roof of the palace, but this one was only as tall as Bri. She paused to examine the perfectly pruned tree, its clusters of lime-green leaves shaped like low, rolling clouds.

The far door creaked open and Bri jolted, lost in her thoughts staring at the tree.

“It’s why it’s there,” Lina said by way of greeting.

“What?”

She stepped out of her chambers, circling round the other side of the centerpiece. “The tree, it’s there to let your mind wander.”

She wore long, flowing robes, her hair tied up in a matching silk scarf and her jewelry and makeup taken off in preparation for sleep.

“It’s beautiful,” Bri murmured, though her eyes never left Lina.

Lina only hummed, peering at the top branches.

“No Airev tonight?” Bri asked.

“No, not on the day I sent my mother into the afterlife.” Her midnight eyes dropped to find Bri’s amber ones. “Can’t sleep?”

“Never.” Bri smirked. “You?”

Lina sighed, and, gathering her robes to the front, she sat on the cushioned bench behind her. “I don’t sleep much either since the attack,” she said as Bri moved around the tree and came to sit beside her. “I hear you have plenty of ways of distracting yourself, though.” Lina chuckled, but it was half-hearted. She seemed exhausted, drained from the long ceremony and the grief that surely followed. “It seems you’ve already stolen the hearts of half my guards. I suppose that’s a better diversion than a night of heavy drinking.”

“I keep myself busy.” Bri grinned, looking at the tree in front of them. The words rose within her before she could take them back. “I suppose you’ll have more distractions once you and Tem are married.”

“No.” Lina snorted. The solitary word rang out between them. “He’s not my type.”

“And who is your type?” Bri’s pulse drummed in her ears as Lina’s stormy gaze held hers.

She knew exactly what she wanted Lina to say: you.